News

Brazil Moves Step Closer to FMD Free Status

01 April 2013

BRAZIL – Seven states of north-eastern Brazil, including the Pará region, are to be foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) free by May this year.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Supply, official recognition by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) will be forthcoming in recognition for improvements stemming from $34.8 million worth of FMD eradication investments.

On-going eradication measures have been intensifying since 2008 in the hope of securing better disease status and improving livestock profitability and export prospects.

Secretary for Livestock Defense in the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply, Ernie Marques said that to receive a disease status up-grade, sampling and inspections have to be carried out.